Objective: To investigate the serum expressions of chemokines CCL2 and CCL3 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with recombinant human interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra).

Material and methods: Serum CCL2 and CCL3 were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 54 active RA patients before and after treatment with IL-1Ra or a placebo, as well as 36 healthy controls.

Results: Compared with the healthy controls, all the 54 RA patients exhibited higher serum CCL2 and CCL3 before and after treatment (p < 0.05). However, patients who had a good response to IL-1Ra treatment had significantly lower mean changes in the serum CCL2 and CCL3 levels from baseline to the last injection than IL-1Ra non-responders (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: CCL2 and CCL3 may be useful efficacy markers of IL-1Ra treatment.